Yakubu Pledges Fair Election Procedures, Despite Attack On INEC Offices

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)., Mahmood Yakubu, has promised a transparent and credible election in the forthcoming 2023 elections.

Mahmood stated that the commission will not be discouraged from conducting an election that follows the stipulated rule.

The chairman was speaking against the background of Thursday’s attacks on the commission’s offices in Ogun and Osun States.

The INEC Chairman stated this during an emergency meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security on Friday, in Abuja.

Yakubu expressed worry, noting that if no urgent and decisive steps were taken, the attacks would intensify as we approach the election date.

He noted, “As we all know, a peaceful campaign heralds a peaceful election. We need to take decisive steps to stem the ugly trend.

“Nigerians expect a decisive action from ICCES. It is important that we move swiftly to apprehend perpetrators, prosecute them as required by law, and reinforce security around election officials and electoral infrastructure around the country.

“As we have stated on several occasions, an election is a multi-stakeholder activity involving not just INEC and the security agencies.

"The political class plays perhaps the most critical role in ensuring peaceful elections. We must all rise to the occasion. Nigerians are watching us.

"The world is watching us. We must never disappoint them.